Not Playing

Lex Friedman heads up podcast ad sales for The Mid Roll. He's also a senior contributor to Macworld. Dan Moren is a senior editor at Macworld, a rampantly unpublished novelist, and a force to be reckoned with.

In each episode of Not Playing, Lex Friedman and Dan Moren watch movies they've never seen – but that everyone else has. Watch the classics again for the first time, with Lex and Dan!

Wax on, wax off, wax nostalgic: It’s the season finale of Not Playing, and we have both a special guest and a special movie.

Neither Lex or Dan had ever seen the seminal 1984 martial arts classic The Karate Kid. And neither had The Incomparable host Jason Snell, who joins us to watch one of Ralph Macchio’s finest performances.

Hot topics include Elisabeth Shue’s sweater collection, the power of the montage, and whether Mr. Miyagi is kind of a jerk—if a preternaturally good karate teacher.

Sweep the leg!

This episode is sponsored by Audible, the leading provider of audiobooks online. Our listeners can get a FREE AUDIO BOOK, no strings attached, by visiting our special Audible link — and a free, 30-day trial of Audible’s subscription service. Check it totally out.

As with every episode of Not Playing, there are two versions of this episode available:

The Bite-Sized Version: We discuss what we know about the film before we watch, and then share our reactions immediately after the credits roll.

The Commentary Track: We still discuss what we know about the film before we start watching it. Then, we provide a real-time commentary track on the film as it unfolds—and you can tag along. We’ll tell you when to press Play.

In each episode of Not Playing, Lex Friedman and Dan Moren watch movies they've never seen – but that everyone else has. Watch the classics again for the first time, with Lex and Dan!

We’re not bad podcasters. We’re just drawn that way.

Dan somehow never saw Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the 1988 American fantasy comedy classic directed by Robert Zemeckis, and starring every awesome cartoon character that ever was. And Roger Rabbit murders a guy. Or does he?!

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, the all-in-one platform for creating easy-to-update, awesome websites. Save 10% and support Not Playing if you use the offer code POPCORN when you subscribe. You even get a free domain name! And the free trial requires NO CREDIT CARD. Delicious. Like POPCORN. Which, again, is the offer code.

As with every episode of Not Playing, there are two versions of this episode available:

The Bite-Sized Version: We discuss what we know about the film before we watch, and then share our reactions immediately after the credits roll.

The Commentary Track: We still discuss what we know about the film before we start watching it. Then, we provide a real-time commentary track on the film as it unfolds—and you can tag along. We’ll tell you when to press Play.

In each episode of Not Playing, Lex Friedman and Dan Moren watch movies they've never seen – but that everyone else has. Watch the classics again for the first time, with Lex and Dan!

David Mamet. Brian De Palma. Lex Friedman. Dan Moren. There’s no prohibition on podcasts about 1987 American crime dramas, so this week, Not Playing watches The Untouchables.

Hot topics include Sean Connery’s terrible accent, under-appreciated Naked Gun parody origins, and whether Andy Garcia could successfully portray a young Robert De Niro should the need arise. (Answer: Maybe.)

Please visit past Not Playing sponsors like Squarespace (save 10% and support Not Playing if you use the offer code NOTPLAYING) and Audible (free audiobook for our listeners!).

As with every episode of Not Playing, there are two versions of this episode available:

The Bite-Sized Version: We discuss what we know about the film before we watch, and then share our reactions immediately after the credits roll.

The Commentary Track: We still discuss what we know about the film before we start watching it. Then, we provide a real-time commentary track on the film as it unfolds—and you can tag along. We’ll tell you when to press Play.

In each episode of Not Playing, Lex Friedman and Dan Moren watch movies they've never seen – but that everyone else has. Watch the classics again for the first time, with Lex and Dan!

When you think of people who haven’t seen a lot of movies that most people have, think of Lex and Dan. And when you think of garbage, think of Akeem. Dan had never seen the 1988 classic starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall and Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall and Eddie Murphy and Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall and Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall: Coming to America.

Hot topics include Eddie’s decision to play multiple characters in many of his films, the versatility of John Amos, and the job insecurity of professional flower petal tossers.

Please visit past Not Playing sponsors like Squarespace (save 10% and support Not Playing if you use the offer code NOTPLAYING) and Audible (free audiobook for our listeners!).

As with every episode of Not Playing, there are two versions of this episode available:

The Bite-Sized Version: We discuss what we know about the film before we watch, and then share our reactions immediately after the credits roll.

The Commentary Track: We still discuss what we know about the film before we start watching it. Then, we provide a real-time commentary track on the film as it unfolds—and you can tag along. We’ll tell you when to press Play.

In each episode of Not Playing, Lex Friedman and Dan Moren watch movies they've never seen – but that everyone else has. Watch the classics again for the first time, with Lex and Dan!

Lex is a gruff-but-loving family man. Dan is a maverick on the edge. Together, they team up for a mission only they can accomplish: watching the 1987 buddy-cop classic Lethal Weapon. Which Lex has never seen—otherwise he’d know exactly how that mission turns out.

Hot topics include Mel Gibson’s hair, strange birthday rituals, L.A. traffic, and dealing with the dichotomy of the sometimes terrible things people do and whether that should be viewed as distinct from the art they create.

This fine episode reaches your ears thanks to the support of Audible, who invites you, dear listeners, to grab a free audiobook along with a 30-day trial of the service.

As with every episode of Not Playing, there are two versions of this episode available:

The Bite-Sized Version: We discuss what we know about the film before we watch, and then share our reactions immediately after the credits roll.

The Commentary Track: We still discuss what we know about the film before we start watching it. Then, we provide a real-time commentary track on the film as it unfolds—and you can tag along. We’ll tell you when to press Play.

In each episode of Not Playing, Lex Friedman and Dan Moren watch movies they've never seen – but that everyone else has. Watch the classics again for the first time, with Lex and Dan!

As the singer once sang, “Holiday ro-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ad.” Join us as we in turn join the Griswolds on their road trip across the United States in 1983′s comedy classic Vacation. The question: Will Dan, who’s never seen the Chevy Chase film, actually enjoy it?

Believe it or not, this episode is brought to you by Squarespace. You can save 10% and support Not Playing if you use the offer code NOTPLAYING — no credit card required to start your free trial!

As with every episode of Not Playing, there are two versions of this episode available:

The Bite-Sized Version: We discuss what we know about the film before we watch, and then share our reactions immediately after the credits roll.

The Commentary Track: We still discuss what we know about the film before we start watching it. Then, we provide a real-time commentary track on the film as it unfolds—and you can tag along. We’ll tell you when to press Play.

In each episode of Not Playing, Lex Friedman and Dan Moren watch movies they've never seen – but that everyone else has. There are two versions of each episode available — the capsules and the commentary track versions. Listen to their thoughts before and after they watch the movie, or listen to the longer, full commentary-track episodes and watch the classics again for the first time, with Lex and Dan! — Mark

This week we travel through time. It’s 1989’s Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, which Dan feels confident Lex will love. Time travel, comedy, and Keanu Reeves—what’s not to love?!

Hot topics include Back to the Future, the later careers of fine comic character actors (like So-crates), and the best time travel moment in cinematic history.

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace. You can save 10% and support Not Playing if you use the offer code NOTPLAYING — no credit card required to start your free trial!

As with every episode of Not Playing, there are two versions of this episode available:

The Bite-Sized Version: We discuss what we know about the film before we watch, and then share our reactions immediately after the credits roll.

The Commentary Track: We still discuss what we know about the film before we start watching it. Then, we provide a real-time commentary track on the film as it unfolds—and you can tag along. We’ll tell you when to press Play.

Up this week is 1987’s Mannequin, one of Lex’s favorite ’80s comedies. It’s the story of Andrew McCarthy meeting Kim Cattrall, the woman of his dreams, even though she is mostly inanimate. And James Spader is at his weirdest, which is really saying something.

As with every episode of Not Playing, there are two versions of this episode available.

The Bite-Sized Version: We discuss what we know about the film before we watch, and then share our reactions immediately after the credits roll.

The Commentary Track: We still discuss what we know about the film before we start watching it. Then, we provide a real-time commentary track on the film as it unfolds—and you can tag along. We’ll tell you when to press Play.

It's another homage to the heyday of 1989 this week, as Dan takes Lex on a trip—through the imagination!—to a land called Iowa, and a sport called baseball. Yes, we're watching Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams.

Hot topics include the rules of magic, the death of an American icon, and arguing with your parents.

In each episode of Not Playing, Lex and Dan watch movies they've never seen. There are two versions of each episode available: the capsule version where you can listen to their thoughts before and after they watch the movie, and the longer, full commentary-track episodes so you can watch the movies along with Lex and Dan.

This week, Lex leads Dan through the wonderful world of Weird Al via his 1989 cult classic, UHF. Hot topics include kitchen accessories, paragons of acting, and the surprising curriculum vitae of Weird Al Yankovic.

[Here's the second episode of Not Playing, hosted by Lex Friedman and Dan Moren . In each episode, Lex and Dan watch movies they've never seen -- but that everyone else has. There are two versions of each episode available — the capsules and the commentary track versions. Listen to their thoughts before and after they watch the movie, or listen to the longer, full commentary-track episodes and watch the classics again for the first time, with Lex and Dan! -- Mark]

What better way to kick off the holiday season than with Bruce Willis’s star-making turn as an everycop? Dan introduces Lex to the best Christmas movie ever, 1988′s Die Hard. Hot topics include Alan Rickman’s death scene, expletives in movies, and the many lives of Alexander Godunov.

[Here's the latest addition to Boing Boing's growing family of wonderful podcasts! It's called Not Playing, and it's hosted by Lex Friedman and Dan Moren (bios below). In each episode, Lex and Dan watch movies they've never seen -- but that everyone else has. There are two versions of each episode available — the capsules and the commentary track versions. Listen to their thoughts before and after they watch the movie, or listen to the longer, full commentary-track episodes and watch the classics again for the first time, with Lex and Dan! - Mark]

Episode 001: Beverly Hills Copacetic

Lex and Dan watch Beverly Hills Cop together for the first time. They marvel at Banana Man, vests, and how (ass? fanny? butt?)-focused the stars of the film seem. And they do the Neutron Dance, of course.